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© 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Purpose

Resistance training may offer several unique advantages within breast cancer (BC) survivorship care; however, safety concerns have limited the application of high-intensity compound movements necessary to elicit optimal changes in body composition, strength, and quality of life in this population. The EXERT-BC trial assesses the safety and feasibility of an evidence-based, dose-escalated resistance training regimen among BC survivors, with the goal of improving physical and metabolic function, mobility, muscle mass, and body composition.

Methods

Participants included women with breast cancer underwent a 3-month thrice weekly exercise regimen involving dose escalation of high-intensity compound exercises. Coprimary outcomes included safety and adherence. Pre- and post-regimen assessment included body composition testing, functional mobility and balance, total load (weight × repetitions × sets) across compound exercises, and patient reported quality of life. Pairwise comparison was performed via the paired t test.

Results

Fourty participants completed a 3-month exercise regimen, with a median age of 57 years (range, 27–74 years) and 73% having stage 0–2 BC. BC therapies concurrent with exercise included anti-estrogen therapy (80%), radiotherapy (30%), and non-hormonal systemic therapy (15%). No adverse events were observed aside from a single case of self-limited knee pain. Session attendance exceeded a prespecified threshold of 75%, and 98% patients reported ongoing compliance to an exercise regimen following regimen completion.

Significant reductions in percent body fat (p < 0.001) and increases in percent muscle mass (p = 0.011) were observed. Significant increases in resting metabolic rate (p = 0.023), bilateral grip strength (p < 0.001), functional movement screen (p < 0.001), bilateral Y-Balance testing (p < 0.001), and Godin questionnaire scores (p < 0.001) were observed.

Conclusion

A 3-month dose-escalated resistance training regimen comprising high-intensity compound movements appears safe with a high degree of adherence among breast cancer survivors, resulting in demonstrable improvements in body composition, metabolic parameters, strength increases, and patient-reported quality of life.

Details

Title
EXERT-BC: A pilot study of an exercise regimen designed to improve functional mobility, body composition, and strength after the treatment for breast cancer
Author
Carpenter, David J 1 ; Peluso, Chris 2 ; Hilton, Christie 3 ; Velasquez, Frank 4 ; Annichine, Adam 5 ; Matsko, Krista 4 ; Rosenberg, Jared 6 ; Diaz, Alexander K 7 ; Hyde, Parker 8 ; Beriwal, Sushil 9 ; Champ, Colin E 10   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Department of Radiation Oncology, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center, Hiram, Georgia, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Exercise Oncology Consortium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
 Exercise Oncology Consortium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute Exercise Oncology and Resiliency Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
 Department of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
 Allegheny Health Network Sports Performance Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
 Department of Radiation Oncology, Wellstar Paulding Medical Center, Hiram, Georgia, USA; Allegheny Health Network Sports Performance Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
 Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA 
 Department of Radiation Oncology, Murray-Calloway County Hospital, Murray, Kentucky, USA 
 Department of Kinesiology, Northern Georgia University, Dahlonega, Georgia, USA 
 Department of Radiation Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
10  Exercise Oncology Consortium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute Exercise Oncology and Resiliency Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 
Section
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Mar 2024
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
e-ISSN
20457634
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2965791308
Copyright
© 2024. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.